Next Level Apparel Joins U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol has announced that Next Level Apparel, a family-founded supplier of premium blank apparel, has joined the programme as its newest brand and retailer member. The move reinforces Next Level Apparel’s commitment to responsible sourcing, ethical production and transparent supply chains.
As part of the Trust Protocol, Next Level Apparel will have its cotton sourcing evaluated against measurable sustainability indicators, including soil health, water use, nutrient management and greenhouse gas emissions. The programme’s digital tracking platform will also provide verified visibility into the supply chain, offering traceability from fibre to finished garment.
“Responsible sourcing has always been central to Next Level Apparel’s business,” said Brett Bjorkman, CEO of Next Level Apparel. “By participating in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, we can independently verify the sustainability of the cotton we source and ensure our products reflect our commitment to transparency and continuous improvement.”
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is a voluntary, field-level sustainability initiative and traceability platform focused on driving continuous improvement across key sustainability metrics, including land use, soil health, water management, greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. The platform also provides independently verified data to support brands and retailers in meeting global sustainability expectations.
“We welcome Next Level Apparel to the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, which will help further strengthen our collective commitment to transparent and sustainable sourcing,” said Gary Adams, President of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. “Their proactive stance on responsible sourcing, particularly their focus on U.S. cotton and supply chain integrity, aligns closely with our mission.”
Next Level Apparel will integrate its Trust Protocol membership with additional ethical and operational programmes such as Oritain, the Fair Labor Association and TrusTrace. The company says this layered approach ensures products are designed with longevity in mind, while maintaining accountability, operational transparency and measurable social and environmental standards.
